Divergence of neighboring magnetic-field lines and fast-particle diffusion in strong magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, with application to thermal conduction in galaxy clusters.

Academic Article

Abstract

  • Using direct numerical simulations, we calculate the rate of divergence of neighboring magnetic-field lines in different types of strong magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. In the static-magnetic-field approximation, our results imply that tangled magnetic fields in galaxy clusters reduce the electron diffusion coefficient and thermal conductivity by a factor of approximately 5-10, relative to their values in a nonmagnetized plasma.
  • Authors

  • Maron, Jason
  • Chandran, Benjamin
  • Blackman, Eric
  • Status

    Publication Date

  • January 30, 2004
  • Has Subject Area

    Published In

    Digital Object Identifier (doi)

    Pubmed Id

  • 14995380
  • Start Page

  • 045001
  • Volume

  • 92
  • Issue

  • 4